Just to claify: an induction motor powered from 60Hz is probably rotating at some multiple/fraction of 53Hz. If it is a big motor it will probably be 3 phase which could explain acoustic noise at 160Hz.
Maybe.

 

I don’t know that it is operating at 53Hz. You are combining two different, potentially incompatible speculative observations. I am basing my suggestion on the nature of the noise superimposed on the waveform, not on @Ian0‘s observation.

I didn’t make that clear, sorry.

Okay, I agree that it is a possible source if the distorted waveform.

 

Where dd the 160Hz come? AG seems to imply an audio file but I don’t see any such file.

 

Where dd the 160Hz come? AG seems to imply an audio file but I don’t see any such file.

There is a Google Apps link in the first post.

 

Where did the 160Hz come? AG seems to imply an audio file but I don’t see any such file.

The (post #1, Oscilloscope Readings, video of the clipping waveform on the 'scope) played a loud 160Hz hum, not the 60Hz mains frequency and not a 60Hz harmonic.

 

I thought I could hear another repetitive sound, and it sounded to me like a long belt going round a pulley.
160Hz could be a harmonic of something going on with an induction motor as it is 3 times 53.3Hz.

Look carefully at the scope display of frequency. The "1" is for scope channel 1, the frequency is reported as 59.99Hz, it is not 159.99Hz Just below, chan 2 is reported as "OFF". Didn't anybody else look closely at the scope display?????

 

Look carefully at the scope display of frequency. The "1" is for scope channel 1, the frequency is reported as 59.99Hz, it is not 159.99Hz Just below, chan 2 is reported as "OFF". Didn't anybody else look closely at the scope display?????

I know that the scope is displaying a steady 60Hz in both videos. MY recent comments were based on @Audioguru again saying he was listening to 160Hz on the soundtrack.
The scope occasionally mistriggers, as the interference is around zero-crossing and the trigger is set around that point.
My opinion is that the disturbances on the mains waveform are of less importance than the acoustic noise. They just show that something large is running nearby.

 

Four days since we last saw the thread starter.

 

Four days since we last saw the thread starter.

I hope it wasn't the Russians using an directed energy weapon like in Cuba!

 

Allergic to electricity
"Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) is believed to be triggered by electronic devices but has no scientific proof.
Symptoms may happen due to other disorders or beliefs about electromagnetic fields.
Treatment may include therapy, environmental changes, or treating underlying conditions.
For many people, electronic devices are a convenient part of everyday life.
They allow you to do things like browse the internet or microwave food.
Some people, however, believe they’re allergic to radiation that’s emitted from electronics.
This perceived condition is called electromagnetic hypersensitivity or EHS.
It happens when someone feels that they’re extra-sensitive to electromagnetic fields (EMFs).
Often just referred to as radiation, EMFs are released by electronic devices like Wi-Fi routers,
computers, microwave ovens, and other home appliances."...
See full article: https://www.healthline.com/health/allergic-to-electricity

 

Allergic to electricity
"Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) is believed to be triggered by electronic devices but has no scientific proof.
Symptoms may happen due to other disorders or beliefs about electromagnetic fields.
Treatment may include therapy, environmental changes, or treating underlying conditions.
For many people, electronic devices are a convenient part of everyday life.
They allow you to do things like browse the internet or microwave food.
Some people, however, believe they’re allergic to radiation that’s emitted from electronics.
This perceived condition is called electromagnetic hypersensitivity or EHS.
It happens when someone feels that they’re extra-sensitive to electromagnetic fields (EMFs).
Often just referred to as radiation, EMFs are released by electronic devices like Wi-Fi routers,
computers, microwave ovens, and other home appliances."...
See full article: https://www.healthline.com/health/allergic-to-electricity

Considering the very low power consumption of most of the suspect devices, , the claimed sensitivity is not able to be verified with trustworthy instrumentation. So certainly there is a challenge in verification.
With the TS issue, it seems that the 160 Hz was due to misreading the scope display, rather than the actual presence of that frequency. So if there actually was a 160 Hz tone in a sound track, the whole claim is rather suspect. If there was some 160 Hz signal on top of the 60Hz mains voltage, the appearance on the scope trace of a non-harmonic related frequency would be different from what is shown.
Probably others with a scope and signal generator can show us what it would look like.

 

suspect. If there was some 160 Hz signal on top of the 60Hz mains voltage, the appearance on the scope trace of a non-harmonic related frequency would be different from what is shown.

Exactly. If there was significant 160Hz noise in the waveform we would see it on the scope.

 

The scope does not show the 160Hz sound, instead it shows the 123V RMS 60Hz clipping sinewave.
Actually, the sound is not 160Hz, instead is is mostly 155Hz in the second video and is mostly the 310Hz second harmonic plus the 155Hz fundamental in the 3rd video.
Is it a fan in the scope that is making the sound?

 

Given that most folks can not hear voltages, it must be that somehow that distorted waveform is producing a mechanical vibration of some item in the TS environment. With that information a narrow band frequency sensor sensitive directional listening system.
That technology is quite mature although I have not seen any discussions of such a system in this forum.

 

I find it very hard to believe that that waveform is somehow causing a 155Hz vibration in every appliance in the home.

 

The waveform on the 'scope has nothing to do with something causing 155Hz and 310Hz sounds.
The scope waveform shows that it has no 155Hz or 310Hz in it.

 

The waveform on the 'scope has nothing to do with something causing 155Hz and 310Hz sounds.
The scope waveform shows that it has no 155Hz or 310Hz in it.

Well, the TS is surmising that it dies, and many suggestions gave been made that assume something is wrong with mains power.

Unfortunately the link to the audio file will not open for me.

 

Wow! Lots of replies.. Sorry for my absence, I work long days during the work week...Where to start?

Wild speculation: do you have neighbors with grid tie PV (Photovoltaic) panels, that is a solar array? Does the noise track daylight, is it absent on cloudy days?

The noise looks a lot like the sort of thing I see from SMPS (Switching Mode Power Supplies)*, and I suspect that it could also be caused by an inverter of the sort used with PV systems. If the system is feeding back into the grid, you might be "enjoying" some green energy. (the sun is conventionally yellow, literally white, but they call it "green" so I am going by marketing patois)

Even if my Hail Mary suggestion is not correct, this diurnal nature, I believe, is the key to the problem and should be the guide in trying to locate it. There is nothing obvious (to me, and apparently to others) in the traces that would be a signature of the source, and the problem isn't something I've heard of before.

Another thing I would want to know, which might or might not assist in finding the source, it just what in your devices is transducing from electrical to acoustic. It is the inductors in the power supply? The transformers? Something else? Again, this might not be the solution but not only is it inherently interesting but you are reporting this as universal, which certainly is possible but I find surprising.

One more thing, even if the source is never found, a solution might be. A filter targeting the noise could possibly be a solution. One thing that might be instructive in this regard is to use a microphone in a very quiet room to get a trace on the scope of the acoustical noise and see how it correlates to the line noise. You can use two channels and see them at the same time. I think that would be potentially instructive.

*An aside: I can recall a time when the 60Hz noise from touch a scope probe looked like relatively clean sine wave, not any more. It's some kind of incredible complex overlay of many signals now, I surmise from the large number of switchers all over the house.

I'll start here.
Wild speculation: YES, I do have a neighbor with a solar array. And guess what? Their array makes the same noise my electronics do!.. I'll try and get a video in the next hour of it uploaded.

Another thing: I do not know any easy way to test this... but I do have a SCHIIT Magni Amplifier on my PC that, when the pc is turned off but powered, makes the buzzing noise much much louder. When the audio drivers of the PC kick in, I can no longer hear it. Maybe that helps?

One more thing: I was thinking this same thing. Do you have any suggestions for filters?

What's

The (post #1, Oscilloscope Readings, video of the clipping waveform on the 'scope) played a loud 160Hz hum, not the 60Hz mains frequency and not a 60Hz harmonic.

I still have my acquired oscilliscope, I'd be happy to do another reading with settings that you guys suggest. I do not know how to operate the thing too well, which is why I originally took to this forum... But, I'd be happy to try!

The scope does not show the 160Hz sound, instead it shows the 123V RMS 60Hz clipping sinewave.
Actually, the sound is not 160Hz, instead is is mostly 155Hz in the second video and is mostly the 310Hz second harmonic plus the 155Hz fundamental in the 3rd video.
Is it a fan in the scope that is making the sound?

If I recall, there was a fan on in the scope at the time I was operating it, but it was relatively quiet and not producing the same "buzzing" that I am referring to with my other electronics. If it would help, I will add more videos of the actual buzzing I am complaining about.

I know that the scope is displaying a steady 60Hz in both videos. MY recent comments were based on @Audioguru again saying he was listening to 160Hz on the soundtrack.
The scope occasionally mistriggers, as the interference is around zero-crossing and the trigger is set around that point.
My opinion is that the disturbances on the mains waveform are of less importance than the acoustic noise. They just show that something large is running nearby.

I have identified that the sound produces both while I am running my AC (the only large appliance in question during my testing) and while it is not running. That exact video with the oscilloscope I believe was taken without the AC running.

Allergic to electricity
"Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) is believed to be triggered by electronic devices but has no scientific proof.
Symptoms may happen due to other disorders or beliefs about electromagnetic fields.
Treatment may include therapy, environmental changes, or treating underlying conditions.
For many people, electronic devices are a convenient part of everyday life.
They allow you to do things like browse the internet or microwave food.
Some people, however, believe they’re allergic to radiation that’s emitted from electronics.
This perceived condition is called electromagnetic hypersensitivity or EHS.
It happens when someone feels that they’re extra-sensitive to electromagnetic fields (EMFs).
Often just referred to as radiation, EMFs are released by electronic devices like Wi-Fi routers,
computers, microwave ovens, and other home appliances."...
See full article: https://www.healthline.com/health/allergic-to-electricity

I do not claim to be unsensitive to electricity. In fact, I have always been able to hear electrical sounds WAY more clearly than anyone else I know. In fact, I have learned to live with it as just being a part of who I am. However, I have verified this sound (and that it's gotten louder) with relatives and friends who have never complained about being able to hear electricity before, like I have. Family agrees that it has gotten louder and more disruptive over time. Additionally, the "buzz" in electricity has never been so bad that I can hear it in every component in my house. Nor has it ever been so bad that I can physically see the lights subtly flickering as it occurs.

Hope that gives everyone some substance to chew on .. I'll see about getting that video with the solar array, shortly.

 

Hello everyone. I have uploaded 3 new videos to the album. 2 of the neighbor's solar array. One with their AC running, the other with their AC not running. The final video is a follow-up recording of my computer's power supply inside the house, directly after recording the "no-AC" video of the solar array. The final video's first half has my AC on, the second half, you can hear my AC kick off.

 

I suppose you could wait until you have solid buzzing then try turning off the circuit breakers in your house electrical panel one by one to see if the noise goes away. That way you could isolate which loads are the buzzers or possibly which loads might be causing what seems to be line interference (assuming the noise source is within your house). Of course, turn off and unplug computers or any other sensitive electronics that might be damaged by abruptly turning off their breaker before you start messing with the breakers. If you still have buzzing with all breakers off then turn off the main breakers, too. If the buzzing persists with all breakers open then it is upstream from your panel. If so, then I'd bring one of your devices that reliably buzzes to a neighbor's house that fed by the same transformer and see if it buzzes there.